Bama softball defeats Georgia to open series

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Seventh-ranked Alabama
put together a well-rounded effort in the opening game of the series against
No. 13 Georgia, defeating the Bulldogs 4-2.

Seven of the starting nine for Alabama (41-8,
16-3 SEC) earned a hit, led by Peyton Grantham's 2-3 performance that included
a solo home run. Jaclyn Traina (18-2) allowed six hits in the circle, but the
Georgia (38-11, 11-8 SEC) hitters helped her by
swinging early which led to eight strikeouts. Sophomore Chelsea Wilkinson
(24-8) went the distance in the losing effort for Georgia, allowing four earned
runs off eight hits.

After stranding two Georgia baserunners in the top of the first,
Alabama took the early lead by scoring two in the bottom half. Jadyn Spencer
got things started with a single through the left side, scoring Haylie McCleney
from second for the first run of the game. Molly Fichtner was hit by a pitch to
load the bases with one out and Leona Lafaele tacked on another run with a
sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Kaila Hunt to make it 2-0. Another walk
loaded the bases but a groundout ended the threat as Alabama held a two-run
lead after the opening inning.

Fichtner made it a 3-0 game in the bottom of the third, battling
through a 12 pitch at-bat to blast a single up the middle, scoring Hunt from
second. Peyton Grantham tacked on another in the fourth inning, hitting a solo
homer over the fence in left-center to make it 4-0. The home run was her third
of the season and broke a six-game hitless streak.

Alex Hugo erased the shutout in the top of the fifth, lifting a
two-run homer that just cleared the fence in right field to make it a 4-2
ballgame. Traina and the defense shut down any hope of a comeback in the final
two innings however, retiring all six Bulldog batters in order, including five
strikeouts, to secure the 4-2 victory.